The first time: this story was deleted. The second time: I tried to slowly revise it. The third time: I gave up and now redoing everything. Sorry if anyone thinks I didn’t have to rewrite the story, but in all honesty, I think it was a must. Thank you for your patience. To new readers: please comment and subscribe! The ages:

13 – Onew, Xiumin

12 – Jonghyun, Luhan

11 – Yifan

10 – Suho, Key, Yixing

9 – Baekhyun, Chen, Minho

8 – Chanyeol

7 – Kyungsoo, Taemin, Tao

6 – Kai

5 – Sehun, Aris (you)

Disclaimer: I do not own pic.

Repost: 7/28/13

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Two Betrothed Worlds

Across a polished table sat two kings in glided, ornate chairs. Arranged on the deluxe table were fancily prepared snacks and fresh, brewed tea for the two rulers. Both kings were conversing and joking with a sense of friendliness and familiarity between them. The dark-haired king was strikingly handsome, dressed in a coordinated, form-fitting garbs with modern designs and colors—King Heechul of EXO. His fellow kingly companion had rusty, chestnut-colored hair, his clothing more casual and loose, but detailed and symbolically colorful—King Leeteuk of SHINee. Truth be told, they were old-time friends—their planets have been cordial allies for countless generations.

After their heart-to-heart conversation, it was time to proceed with the real matter at hand. King Leeteuk was the one to deliver it. Bad news.

“Heechul, my prophet, the reliable Yesung, foresaw EXO being invaded by Techcron,” he gravely confided, his hands closing around his teacup tightly.

King Heechul looked doubtful, but considered the warning, a troublesome twist to his thin lips. “I thought the Techas agreed for a cease-fire?” He shook his head dismally. “They are foolish to even think about invading my planet with our combined forces!”

King Leeteuk shrugged minimally, unsure himself. “I agree, Heechul. But Yesung is positive about his vision. You and I both know his visions have never failed to come true.”

That made King Heechul sag back into his seat. He rubbed at his forehead, disturbed by the grim turnabout of events. “For once I wish Yesung wasn’t as outstandingly accurate as he was. I fervently hope that his prediction is false. I don’t want to instigate another war with those monsters—especially when our children are still so young.” He sighed wistfully. “A war would disrupt what bonding time my sons have with your daughter.” The EXO king glanced up, quirking a stern brow at his friend, his probing dark eyes like black holes. “Did you break the news to your sons? It’s been a year since we decided this.”

The inquiry elicited a nervous chuckle from King Leeteuk. “Ahaha. Actually, I did...long ago...but my sons are strongly—and I do mean strongly—against the marriage.” His caramel eyes reflected how wary and defeated the king was. “You should’ve seen it, Heechul. They threw tyrannical fits! They threatened acts of mutiny against me if their sister got married!”

King Heechul smiled faintly. “I understand. They are very protective of their baby sister.”

“Their only sister,” sighed the agitated king. Another depressing thought preoccupied his mind, but he quickly recovered his front, saying aloud, “Despite the fight her brothers are putting up, my daughter has no objections to the marriage. She considers your sons as precious friends.”

“Your daughter is indeed bright,” King Heechul said fondly. “A prodigy sorceress just like her grandmother.”

King Leeteuk was practically glowing at the compliments, the topic of his little girl diverting their attention from the earlier apprehension. He nodded. “I wonder what our children are doing right now...”

...

Gathered in a beautiful, lush garden fit for royalty were eighteen children meant to play. But no, they weren’t playing. They were arguing...again.

Your protective and equally possessive brothers were ‘on guard duty’ as they shielded you away from pests known as the EXO princes. Your arm was growing numb from the way Taemin was clinging to it. Onew hovered by your right shoulder like a dutiful hawk. Minho stood in front of you, hiding your small frame behind his bigger one. Key and Jonghyun were the mouthpieces of your group, arguing and bickering with the EXO princes, practically snarling in each other’s faces. You watched the altercation despairingly.

Originally you thought your eldest brother, thirteen-year-old Jinki—nicknamed Onew, the heir to the SHINee throne—would be his usual nice and polite self, but today, towards the EXO princes, he was snappy and rude. Last month, ever since it was officially announced that you became engaged to any of the EXO princes, your brothers’ attitudes flipped a one-eighty.

“I’ll never ever EVER let one of you mangy mutts marry my little sister!” Jonghyun raged, jabbing an outraged finger at their midst. For a twelve-year-old his words were powerful and firm. He would’ve made a perfect public speaker if he wasn’t so scornful.

“Say that all you want, Jonghyun,” Yifan imposed coolly. “She has to marry one of us anyways.” Yifan may not be the eldest of his brothers, but he was unmistakably the tallest and the most authoritative. When he wanted to be, he was very intimidating and brusque, to an extent where it scared your own brothers. “So she’s going to end up with us and taken from you.” He smirked triumphantly.

Did your fiancés have the biggest egos or what?

“Try taking her,” Key snarled, daring the tall EXO prince to challenge him. His fancy, pale-white fingers sparkled with red-pink energy. Everyone knew that although Key was only ten years old, he was a skilled sorcerer. No one messed with him or risked being tormented with his magical pranks for eternity.

You decided to intervene then—to avoid mass destruction of the garden because of your (stubborn) fiancés and (unreasonable) brothers.

“Stop being so childish.”

They all stopped glowering at each other to stare at you in shock. As the youngest child of them all, hearing you say that stabbed them right in the chest (and their pride). But one mustn’t forget you were intelligent beyond your years. You looked young and gentle and sweet, but you spoke like an adult, not like an average five-year-old you were supposed to be. Your unspoken beauty and innocence was endearing and genuine. It’s what charmed the EXO princes at first glance—what made them fall in love with you. It’s the very reason why they didn’t want to back down from a possible marriage with you. They truly had feelings for you.

You tried to pry Taemin off of your arm, but he held on tighter with his monster-like grip. You sighed at his persistence.

“Brother,” you cooed at him musically, “go play with Kai and Sehun.”

An instant objection: “No.”

You sighed again, beaten with one word. Unwilling to lose so easily, you brought out your trump card.

Pouting your plump lips and enhancing the sparkle in your eyes, you begged with all your might, “Taeminnie, I wanna pway wit Pwaince Kai and Pwaince Sehunnie and Pwaince Tao!”

“Ack!” Everyone was blown away by your cuteness that you almost wanted to face-slap yourself at the stupidity. Your brothers and fiancés fell to their knees or rubbed at their stunned eyes.

“DON’T DO THAT!” Onew gasped like he was on the verge of cardiac arrest, clutching at his chest as his heart accelerated into overdrive.

You pouted very softly, minimizing your wounded expression so you wouldn’t accidentally send someone to an early grave. “Please?”

Taemin’s willpower crumbled in a nanosecond. “F-fine,” he stammered feebly.

Happy, you steered him towards Kai and Sehun and Tao who were about your age. Too bad Kyungsoo didn’t join the fun because he thought it was too silly. The three youngest EXO princes were least concerned about disputing but rather having fun instead. The five of you decided to play a round of tag. Every time Sehun, Tao, or Kai sidled closer to you, Taemin would suddenly appear and drive them away, screaming like a madman. You wished he would stop being overprotective. You and Taemin were very close siblings, joked around to be attached to the hip. In his point of view, the marriage to him was you leaving his side forever.

The older princes were still arguing back and forth, but the only few that didn’t raise their voice were Suho and Yixing, who watched but never joined. Those two were naturally peacekeeping and placid. Off to the side, Suho monitored over you and the younger princes during your game of tag, a warm look etched on his face.

Jonghyun jabbed a finger at Xiumin. “I don’t like you!” At Chen. “You!” Then Chanyeol. “You!” And lastly Yifan. “And ESPECIALLY you!” he screamed.

“All of you,” Minho intoned crisply, crossing his arms. He and Yifan had a glaring contest.

Thirteen-year-old Xiumin scoffed. “Like you’re any better.”

“Oh, we are,” Key inserted icily, then rolled his feline eyes. “I can’t believe Father thinks any of you are worthy to be my sister’s husband—much less our brother-in-laws!”

“Why are we Shawols allied with these chumps again?” Onew mused tauntingly. His crescent eyes were sharp and cunning. “Oh, yeah, because some weaklings called EXOTICS needed OUR help in war.”

“Did you just call us weak, Jinki?” Luhan snapped, his doll-face hardening.

“Maybe I did,” Onew dared, eyes glinting. He stepped forward, his brothers poised on either side of him. In response, the EXO princes converged closer into two arcs. Magical energy radiated off the fingertips of the SHINee princes in a blur of colors. Because Chanyeol was angered, the temperature rose. Baekhyun unconsciously made the light around them brighter. Pebbles and loose stone levitated by the power of Luhan’s mind.

Suho sighed at the sight of an upcoming brawl, pinching the ridge of his nose with his forefingers disapprovingly. For a ten-year-old, he was surprisingly levelheaded and assuasive. “Can we please not fight for once?” he begged exasperatedly. He turned to face his brethren. “Brothers, the SHINee royals are only here for a brief visit. We should spend our time wisely with Aris before they depart.”

He glanced at you where you were having fun running away from Kai, Sehun, Tao, and Taemin. Your smile was angelic and the shine in your eyes brilliant. Using teleporting to his advantage, Kai appeared behind you and snagged your waist with his arms. Taemin was immediately offended and tried to separate you two, exclaiming and waving his arms like a wild monkey. Kai stuck out his tongue over your shoulder, peeving Taemin more. You giggled helplessly, the sound like a peal of silvery bells.

“I guess...” Yifan concurred hesitantly. Since he was appointed leader of his brothers and the heir to the throne, what he said goes. His brothers loosened their defensive postures.

“Just let them bond with Aris for now. We’re returning home soon anyways,” Onew whispered to his brothers. The four nodded reluctantly.

When you saw your brothers and the other EXO princes clamor over, you eagerly met them halfway. Luhan happened to reach you first, so you took his hands in yours and tugged him towards the grassy lawns. Luhan’s heart bursted blissfully at your touch, your skin smooth against his and grip gentle. His brothers were immediately jealous that he gained your attention.

“Hey! Get back here!” Chanyeol hollered, running even faster.

“I wanna hold her hands, too!” Chen complained, stomping his feet on the puffy grass.

“Aww, lucky Lulu!” Baekhyun pouted.

They’re so weird, you giggled inwardly. But I love them for that. You released Luhan’s delicately-shaped hands—much to his displeasure—and skipped over to the flower bushes. Observing the wide selection of flowers, you brightened at an idea. You plucked a handful and lopped back over to your fiancés and brothers gathered in a tense circle.

“Here, here!” you chimed merrily, handing them each a different flower. They all melted at your sweetness.

“Thank you so much, Princess!” Yixing dimpled, expressing his happiness. You stared wondrously, resisting the urge to poke his dimple that you grew fond of. When exchanging flowers, your hands brushed with his. Yixing felt sparks fly and couldn’t hide his elated smile.

Cute, you thought, distracted by his beam. In terms of being adorable and pretty, Yixing ranked high above the charts like Luhan, but didn’t possess the misleading doll-like features. Instead, you thought he was a beautiful, artistic pencil drawing, each line and curve gentle but taut.

Suddenly you cried out, “Ouch!” A thorn had pricked your finger. Red blood smeared your fingertip.

“AH!” Everyone reacted violently and converged closer to you, seeing if you were okay. Your brothers patted your head and back soothingly. A concern look crossed Yixing’s face and he gently reached out for your bleeding finger. It stung but you didn’t complain. You sniffled. You should’ve remembered you were holding a rose.

You watched in amazement when Yixing healed your finger—a light green glow emanated from his hand to your wound. The cut vanished into a faint pink scar. Yixing took out his handkerchief and wiped off the excess blood.

“Wow, Prince Yixing! That was so kind of you!” You squeezed his hand that still held yours and then let go. He smiled sheepishly, ducking his head and cradling the flower you gave to him close to his chest.

Luhan poked the side of Yixing’s head, teasing, “When did you get so bold?” Yixing reddened and looked away.

“Hey, let’s play a game!” you declared, upbeat by the idea. Everyone needed to loosen up and learn to work together.

“Wha kine of game?” wondered Sehun, tilting his head cutely.

“How about...Treasure Hunt?” you suggested.

The boys deliberated amongst themselves then nodded their affirmation. It was their duty to make you happy.

“We need to divide into teams!” Suho said.

The teams were like this: you, Onew, and Yifan. (Onew hastily volunteered when Yifan proclaimed that he was with you.) Kyungsoo, Sehun, and Luhan. Chen, Baekhyun, and Chanyeol. Xiumin, Tao, and Yixing. Suho, Jonghyun, and Key. Minho, Taemin, and Kai.

“What are we surching for, Princess?” Kyungsoo innocently inquired, his big, round eyes adorably bedazzling for a seven-year-old. Luhan held Kyungsoo’s and Sehun’s hands.

Tao eagerly raised his hands, hopping up and down. “Ooh! Ooh! How ‘bout we fine the wishing well?”

“The wishing well?” Yixing repeated quizzically, looking down at his younger brother. “You mean the one the head gardener hid?”

Tao nodded vigorously, dark panda eyes bright. “Den we can make a wish if we find it! That will be ouwa tweasure!”

Everyone liked the sound of that, even you.

EXO thought determinedly, I’ll wish that I’M going to be the one who marries Aris.

SHINee thought fervently, I’ll wish that Aris will NEVER marry one of those bratty EXO princes.

Staring thoughtfully at the sky, you pondered cluelessly, What should I wish for?

“Let’s go!” Kai piped up. He dashed off with Taemin hot on his heels, followed by a passive Minho. Everyone dispersed into the thicket of woods neighboring the garden. The sound of crunching grass and loud breathing resonated throughout the sea of trees.

Unlike the boys who rushed to find the well, you were being careful as you treaded through the woods. Onew, a natural-born klutz, kept tripping over loose plant life and hidden stones. On the other hand, Yifan had absolutely no trouble, ambling through the uneven ground with ease.

“Eek!” you squealed when you failed to notice that the ground before you dipped into a small ditch. Flailing your arms, you fell forward.

But you never hit the ground.

Slim arms embraced you tightly and you suddenly flew forward toward even ground. You were settled gently on your own two feet, still trapped within your savior’s embrace. You blinked in surprise—a late reaction—relieved at his nice save and quick reflexes. It felt safe to be in his arms.

“Thank you, Prince Yifan,” you said breathlessly. “You sure fly fast.”

“Thanks,” he said simply and shrugged like it was no big deal, but he was secretly beaming with pride. He was thrilled to be your savior. He’d rather risk his own life than have a single scratch mar your flawless skin.

“Hey, Aris, where’d you go?” Onew shouted from the distance where you and Yifan had ditched him. You were about to raise your voice to respond when Yifan covered your mouth. You looked up at him in confusion.

“Let’s stay alone,” he whispered in a conspriational tone. “Your brothers keep hogging you.”

You smiled. “Okay,” you agreed.

Yifan grinned at your answer and took your small hand in his tightly but lovingly. He helped you navigate through the underbrush of the woods which grew denser with each step. Occasionally the two of you heard everyone else, their rambunctious voices echoing far and wide. Apparently Taemin complained every time Kai teleported. Luhan was chiding at Sehun not to stir up the fallen leaves with his wind. Tao was scared to search in the deeper, darker part of the forest, but was placated by Baekhyun’s light illuminating the way. A stray branch had accidentally cut Xiumin’s cheek and he cried out for Yixing to heal him. Poor Onew was still hollering for your whereabouts. Key heard Onew lost you and threw a hysterical fit, scolding the latter wherever he was (who was probably hiding from him).

You laughed in amusement and Yifan enjoyed hearing the beautiful sound. “Everyone is so silly. I feel like I’m the older one here.”

“You are,” Yifan agreed, his piercing eyes softening around the edges. “I’m lucky to have such a smart fiancé.”

“I’m the lucky one,” you gently objected, a sweet smiling curving your lips. “I love all of you—with all my heart and soul.”

We do, too, Yifan thought dreamily, tongue-tied as he stared at your angelic face.

You perked up when you spotted a luminous shimmer in the distance, stark against the dim shade of the woods. “Oh? What was that?” you asked aloud.

Yifan followed your gaze, squinting. “Light?”

You tugged on his hand, the urge to quench your curiosity too strong to resist. “Come on. Let’s go see what it is.”

“Um, okay,” he said uncertainly. The two of you edged closer, footsteps cautious and light. The wall of trees pulled away and the two of you found yourselves in a concealed clearing. From above, sunlight shined down brilliantly. Below the grass was a healthy lime green, dotted with cute wildflowers. Pretty, exotic butterflies fluttered by. In the center of the small clearing was stone well.

You gasped in wonder. “We found it!”

“I’ve never seen this place before,” Yifan admitted. The two of you hurried over to the well. It looked sturdy and well-built, but aged from neglect, the stone overgrown with vines and moss. The narrow wooden roof was chipped and piled with fallen leaves. You peered over the brim curiously and was greeted by your watery reflection.

“It still has water,” you confirmed, enchanted by such a mystifying structure. You looked up at Yifan happily. “Let’s make a wish!”

He smiled. “I guess so.” He noticed some colorful pebbles lying at the base of the well and picked up two. “Here, Princess. After you make a wish, throw this in.”

Nodding, you graciously took the pebble and held it to your chest. Yifan still held your other hand. He was very warm.

Closing your eyes, you deliberated on your wish very seriously. Yifan watched you contemplate, thinking how cute you were with a thinking face on. Then he closed his own eyes.

You both decided simultaneously, pouring as much desire as you could into your wish.

I wish I can stay with them for as long I live.

I wish we can stay with her for as long as we live.

Eyes flashing open, the two of you tossed your pebbles into the water with an audible plop! The pebbles languidly sunk to the bottom of the well. Unknown to you, they glowed and dissolved into nothing.

“What did you wish for, Princess?” Yifan asked.

You held a finger to your lips. “It’s a secret,” you said playfully.

He chuckled. “Right.”

Mission accomplished, the two of you rounded up the others. When everyone was accounted for, you told them that you found the well with Yifan.

“Aww! Why is Fannie always the lucky one?” Chanyeol complained, waving his arms about agitatedly.

“Only because he ditches us for her,” Xiumin grumbled, chubby cheeks puffed out moodily.

“And purposefully ditches me,” Onew muttered.

“What did ya wish for?” Kai asked harmlessly.

You smiled softly, but cryptically said, “I won’t say a word until we’re older.”

“I don’t wanna grow up!” Kyungsoo protested.

“I like the sound of that,” Minho mused. “Then you’ll never get the chance to marry Aris.”

“NO!” was the defiant outburst of the EXO princes, and Kyungsoo hastily added, “I take dat back!”

Amongst all the teasing and quarreling, you and your brothers were alerted by the glowing pendants hanging around your necks. The small, egg-shaped gems were the color of your energies. Blue-white for you; red-pink for Key; orange-red for Taemin; green-yellow for Minho; purple-blue for Jonghyun; and gold-yellow for Onew.

“It’s time to go,” Onew announced dutifully. “Father is calling us.” You and your brothers nodded while the EXO princes were dismayed at the news. They didn’t want you to leave.

You looped your arms through Taemin’s and Jonghyun’s. “Let’s go, my dear brothers.”

The dejected EXO princes trailed after you and your brothers, emerging from the woods and reentering the royal gardens. Waiting for all of you were the two kings and the two queens of EXO—Queen Ming and Queen Kyungsoon—surrounded by their servants. You brightened when you saw your father smiling charmingly at you and you blithely danced forward into his outstretched arms.

“Daddy!” you exclaimed joyfully. King Leeteuk nuzzled the crown of your head.

“Hello, my angel,” he greeted back warmly.

“My sons, why are you all dirty?” King Heechul asked, eyeing his lined-up children in a mixture of puzzlement and amusement.

“We had a Treasure Hunt in the forest,” they chorused and ducked their heads sheepishly, but their father wasn’t mad. He had a feeling you were involved with their untidiness. Maids rushed forward to clean the dirt-ridden princes, wiping their faces with cloths and fixing their unruly hair. The queens chided their sons. Queen Ming at Yifan, Luhan, Xiumin, Yixing, Chen, and Tao, and Queen Kyungsoon at Suho, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Kai, and Sehun.

“Did you children have fun?” asked King Leeteuk, one arm draped around your small, slender figure. Taemin clung to his father’s sleeve. Onew, Jonghyun, Minho, and Key hovered by their father and you like a protective barrier.

All of you nodded. “Yes.”

“We have to go home now,” King Leeteuk informed his children. He looked down at you and smiled. “Aren’t you going to kiss your fiancés goodbye?”

“What?” snapped your brothers.

Your fiancés perked up.

You shrunk into your shoulders, as if overcome by stage-fright, and let out a helpless, “Eep.” All eyes bore onto you expectantly. “I—uh—don’t know...” For the first time, you felt like your actual age. A timid, inexperienced five-year-old.

Your grinning father gently nudged you away from him and towards the waiting EXO princes. “Go on, dear.”

“Just a kiss on the cheek!” Queen Ming urged, clapping her hands giddily.

You gulped and obliged since everyone outvoted you. You started down the line with Sehun, who was the youngest but a few months older than you. Both of you blushed at each other, and you quickly pecked his cheek.

“Awww!” cooed the audience. The kings were inwardly grinning at their successful little scheme while your brothers were extremely jealous, steam coming out of their ears. The two queens giggled behind their hands, whispering how cute you all were.

You hastily moved down the line, your heart thumping erratically against your chest as you modestly kissed the boys on the cheek. Kai winked at you playfully (that cocky six-year-old). Tao’s eyes lit up. Kyungsoo was wide-eyed. Baekhyun tried to act unaffected but instantly melted at your touch. Chanyeol wore a big, goofy grin. Yixing blushed at the skinship (again). Suho gentlementally whispered his thanks. Xiumin pouted when it was only a peck. Luhan grabbed your hand and squeezed it tenderly. Yifan leaned down—cheeks brushing—and whispered in your ear, “Thanks, love.”

You gulped at the heartmelting words and quickly fled to your father, burying your scarlet-heated face in his clothes. You could feel him laughing, the warm, deep sound resonating in his chest.

“I think we should go now,” he decided. He bowed his head at his long-time friend. “See you another time, Heechul.”

King Heechul nodded, smiling handsomely. “You are always welcome.”

“Especially Aris,” Queen Kyungsoon added. Your body grew warm at the touching words.

“Bye, see you soon,” you whispered to your forlorn fiancés, waving your hand as the Shawol guards and servants surrounded their royals. Taemin held onto his father’s free hand, and Jonghyun clutched your other hand. You were all ushered away.

The EXO princes waved back, feeling lost as you disappeared from sight.

See you soon, love.

...